Fruit processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A perforated finishing tube of a juicing machine receives a reciprocable one-piece tubular plunger which has a plurality of slots in its wall extending longitudinally of the plunger to define a plurality of finger-like members that move in close proximity to the inner surface of the discharge tube to remove fruit material caught in the perforations of the tube and extending inwardly thereof.

Unite 1 States P316111 1191 Hait 1 1 June 5, 1973 1541 FRUIT PROCESSINGAPPARATUS 593,548 11/1897 Baumgarten et a1 "146/3 1 2,420,679 5/1947Pipkin ..100/98 R X [75] lnventor. James M. Halt, San Jose, Ca11f.473,043 4/1892 wimamsw 3 Assignee; FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif2,475,559 7/1949 Wilson ..100/108 X [22] Filed: 19, PrimaryExaminer-Robert L. Bleutge Appl. No.: 135,256

US. Cl ..100/98 R,100/108, 100/213, 99/513 Int. Cl. ..B30b 9/02 Field ofSearch ..100/37, 108, 213, 100/98 R; 146/3 J References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2/1966 Belk ..100/108 Att0rneyF. W. Anderson [57]ABSTRACT A perforated finishing tube of a juicing machine receives areciprocable one-piece tubular plunger which has a plurality of slots inits wall extending 1ongitudinally of the plunger t0 define a pluralityof finger-like members that move in close proximity to the inner surfaceof the discharge tube to remove fruit material caught in theperforations of the tube and extending inwardly thereof.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures FRUIT PROCESSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION In juice extractors of the type disclosed in the U.S. Patentto Hait No. 2,649,730, oranges are placed oneby-one between two opposedcups that move toward each other to squeeze the fruit, rupture the skin,and direct juice, seeds, pulp, and disc-shaped pieces of peel downwardlythrough a perforated cylindrical finishing tube. As the juice and othermaterial move downwardly, a plunger moves upwardly to receive the peelsegments, seeds and pulp in a central axial passage in the plunger andto force juice laterally through the perforations of the tube into acollection chamber.

During the separation of the juice from the pulp and seeds, many of thefine fibers and membranes of the pulp are pressed against the perforatedinner surface of the discharge tube and become caught in theperforations so that they hang partially within the tube. To prevent thebuildup of material on the inner wall of the finishing tube, the upperedge of the plunger is sharpened, and is designed to maintain closecontact with the inner surface of the tube during the upward movement ofplunger, thereby severing fibers or other material caught in the tubeperforations.

The U.S. Patent to Hait No. 2,649,730 discloses a continuous annularcutting edge formed integrally on the upper edge of the finishingplunger, while the U.S. Patent to Belk No. 2,856,846 discloses arelatively short, cylindrical cutter that is split along its length.This cutter is removably secured to the upper end of the plunger and,due to its resiliency and pressure in the tube, its upper sharpened edgemaintains close, scraping contact with the inner surface of theperforated tube.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved plungerwhich will cooperate in an efficient manner with the finishing tube of ajuice extractor to separate juice from seeds, pulp and the like.

Another object is to provide a plunger having an integral upper cuttingedge that is capable, due to its unique construction, of maintainingclose contact with the inner wall of the finishing tube.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The plunger of the present invention is acylindrical tubular member that has a sharpened upper edge and aplurality of slots in its wall extending downwardly from the upper edgein a direction longitudinally of the plunger. The slots are spaced fromeach other around the periphery of the tube to define a plurality ofupwardly-extending fingers whose sharpened and curved upper edges aremoved outwardly, during upward movement of the plunger, to scrape theinner wall of the cylindrical discharge tube.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section ofa juiceextracting mechanism embodying the plunger of the present invention, thesection being taken along the common axis of the fruit-squeezing cupsand the finis'hing tube.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a second embodiment of theplunger of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a third embodiment of theplunger of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The improved plunger of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 in connection with a citrusfruit juice extracting apparatus 10 of the type described and claimed inthe U.S. Patent to Belk et al. No. 2,780,988. Only those portions of theentire juice extractor 10 that are necessary for an understanding of thepresent invention have been shown; for complete details of theconstruction and operation of the juice extractor 10, reference shouldbe had to the above-mentioned patent.

In general, the juice extractor 10 comprises a wholefruit squeezingmechanism 12, and a cooperating juiceseparating apparatus 14. The fruitsqueezing mechanism 12 comprises a pair of digitated, upper and lowercups 16 and 17, respectively, each of which is provided with a pluralityof spaced blades or fingers 16A and 17A, respectively. The upper cup 16is secured, in a downwardly-opening orientation, to a verticallyreciprocable head 18 which also carries a cutter assembly 20 that has adownwardly directed circular blade 21. The blades 16A of the upper cupare mounted for reciprocating vertical movement into and out ofinterdigitation with the upwardly projecting blades 17A of the lower cup17 which is rigidly supported on a stationary bedplate 25 in an upwardlyfacing position in vertical alignment with the upper cup. The lower cup17 and the bedplate 25 are provided with vertically aligned apertures 27and 29, respectively, which communicate with a frusto-conical chamber 31formed in the bedplate 25. A tubular knife 35 fits tightly within theapertures 27 and 29 and has an annular blade 37 that extends upwardlybeyond the aperture 27 into the cavity of the lower cup 17. The lowerend of the knife 35 abuts the upper end of a cylindrical finishing tube39 the axis of which is aligned with the axes of the apertures 27 and 29and with the knife 35. The finishing tube forms a part of thejuice-separating apparatus 14 and has a multiplicity of smallperforations 40 provided in the upper portion of its wall. The tube 39is removably fastened in an aperture 41 provided in the bottom of ajuice collecting sump 42 that is secured in sealed relation to the wall43 defining the lower end of the chamber 31.

The finishing tube 39 slidably receives a pressure exerting member inthe form of an elongated plunger or orifice tube 45 that is fastened inan upwardly extending position to a crosshead 47, only a fragment ofwhich is shown. The crosshead 47 is operatively connected with the uppercup-supporting head 18 for vertical reciprocation in timed relationtherewith, in a manner fully disclosed in the above-mentioned Belk etal. U.S. Pat. No. 2,780,988. The plunger 45 is provided with an axialpassage 46 which communicates at its upper end with the interior of thefinishing tube 39 through an upwardly flaring mouth 48 in the upper endof the plunger. The lower end of the axial passage 46 communicates witha longitudinal slot 49 milled in the side of the plunger adjacent itspoint of attachment to the crosshead 47.

The finishing tube 39 may be made as a forging from 303 or 304 stainlesssteel. The inner surface of the tube is preferably built up with hardchrome plating to a thickness of approximately 0.006 to 0.008 inch andthen honed to the desired internal diameter. The perforations 40 aredrilled in the tube before the tube is chrome-plated, and eachperforation may be in the range of from 0.040 to 0.090 inch in diameter.

The plunger 45 is a stainless steel member that has a coating 50 (FIG.2) of Stellite on its exterior surface. The plunger has three segments:a lower cylindrical segment 45a of diametral dimension C that isslidably journaled in the lower end of the finishing tube 39; an uppersegment 45b that is frusto-conical in configuration, having a diametraldimension A at the upper end that is larger than the correspondingdimension B at the lower end; and a transition segment 450 betweensegments 45a and 45b. Eight slots 52 are cut in the wall of the tubesection 45b at 45 intervals around the periphery to define eightfinger-like members 53 which have upper sharpened edges 53a.

One commercial juice extractor has a finishing tube that has an internaldiameter of 1.00 inch. According to the present invention, the plungerused with this tube could have an A dimension of 0.998 inch at sectionAA, a B dimension of 0.937 inch at section BB, and a C dimension of0.998 inch at section CC. Each of these dimensions includes the Stellitecoating which is approximately 0.018 inch thick. The plunger body ismade of stainless steel bar stock and machined to provide the centralpassage in the plunger, a dimension of 0.901 inch at B--B and adimension of 0.962 inch at C-C and AA. After the surface of the plungeris sandblasted, a bond coat of Metco 404 (nickel aluminide) is appliedthereto, followed by a coating of Stellite powder. The powder is fusedon the plunger at a temperature of approximately 2200 F., and then theexterior surface is brought to the abovementioned A, B and C dimensionsby grinding. In a final operation, the eight slots 52, approximatelyl/l6 of an inch wide, are cut in the wall of the plunger.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that during the upward movement ofthe plunger 45, the central passage of the plunger is filled with pulp,seeds, and plugs P out from oranges that have been squeezed previously.Accordingly, the plunger acts somewhat as a piston as it moves upwardlyand considerable pressure is developed in the chamber above the plunger.In accordance with the present invention, the slots 52 are made longenough, in view of the thickness of the plunger wall in the vicinity ofthe slots and in view of the pressure generated in the chamber andinternally of the plunger, so that the upper edges 53a of the fingers 53will be pressed into close contact with the surface of the finishingtube. Also, it should be noted that after the upper edges of the fingermembers 53 pass above the uppermost perforations 40 in the finishingtube, as shown in FIG. 2, the slots 52 still permit juice to moveoutwardly of the central chamber of the plunger for passage through theperforations into the collection chamber.

In FIG. 2 the plunger is shown as having a deeply flared upper endportion. It is within the scope of the invention to make this taperedsection of less depth as long as the upper sharpened edge portions 53aare retained.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.In this embodiment the members are substantially identical inconstruction and operation as the members of the embodiment of FIGS. 1and 2, and similar parts will be assigned identical reference numeralswith the addition of a prime marking. The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4differs from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that each of the slots 52 ofplunger 45' has a dimension X at its upper end that is less than itsdimension Y at its lower end. Also, the lower surface 54' of each slotis beveled inwardly and downwardly and, as seen in FIG. 4, the innerwalls 55' and 56 of each slot are slanted away from each other to definean inwardly opening passage. These features of the slot aid in keepingthe lower end of the slot open and unclogged during operation.

While the slots in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 are substantiallyparallel to the axis of the plunger, they may be constructed so thatthey have a twisting or helical configuration, or they may be straightslots 52" that are at a small angle to an imaginary longitudinal line L(FIG. 5) that is parallel to the axis of the plunger 45". Theinclination of the edges of the slot provides auxiliary scraping edgesthat will shear any fibrous material, projecting inwardly from thefinishing tube perforations, that was missed or imperfectly sheared bythe upper edges of the plunger.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for separating liquid and solid material comprising aperforated finishing tube adapted to receive a liquid and solid massthat has been squeezed from a fruit; and a tubular plunger movablewithin said tube for exerting pressure on the mass to force the liquidportion thereof out of the tube through its perforations, said tubularplunger having a shearing edge and a plurality of slots extendingthrough the wall of said end portion of said tubular plunger, said slotsbeing spaced from each other at relatively short intervals about saidplunger and being relatively long as compared with the intervals betweensaid slots and the thickness of the wall of said plunger in order toprovide finger members adapted to move outwardly into close scrapingcontact with the inner surface of said finishing tube at their distalends defined by said shearing edge during movement of said plungerthrough said tube.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the slotted end portion ofsaid plunger is of reduced diameter at a point spaced from saidsharpened edges to provide clearance between said plunger and the innerwall of said finishing tube.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the slotted end portion ofsaid plunger is generally frustoconical in configuration, having thelargest diameter at said sharpened edges.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slots are of a widthsufficient to pass juice but prevent passage of seeds and pulp material.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slots extendlongitudinally of said plunger.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slots have a spiralconfiguration.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slots are inclinedrelative to an imaginary line that extends longitudinally along theadjacent periphery of said plunger parallel to the axis of said plunger.

1. Apparatus for separating liquid and solid material comprising aperforated finishing tube adapted to receive a liquid and solid massthat has been squeezed from a fruit; and a tubular plunger movablewithin said tube for exerting pressure on the mass to force the liquidportion thereof out of the tube through its perforations, said tubularplunger having a shearing edge and a plurality of slots extendingthrough the wall of said end portion of said tubular plunger, said slotsbeing spaced from each other at relatively short intervals about saidplunger and being relatively long as compared with the intervals betweensaid slots and the thickness of the wall of said plunger in order toprovide finger members adapted to move outwardly into close scrapingcontact with the inner surface of said finishing tube at their distalends defined by said shearing edge during movement of said plungerthrough said tube.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the slottedend portion of said plunger is of reduced diameter at a point spacedfrom said sharpened edges to provide clearance between said plunger andthe inner wall of said finishing tube.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1wherein the slotted end portion of said plunger is generallyfrusto-conical in configuration, having the largest diameter at saidsharpened edges.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slotsare of a width sufficient to pass juice but prevent passage of seeds andpulp material.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slotsextend longitudinally of said plunger.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1wherein said slots have a spiral configuration.
 7. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said slots are inclined relative to an imaginary linethat extends longitudinally along the adjacent periphery of said plungerparallel to the axis of said plunger.